fb tracking
No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Calculator
      • Ovulation Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Calculator
      • Ovulation Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise
No Result
View All Result
BellyBelly
No Result
View All Result
Home Toddler

10 Things You Should Do In Front Of Your Toddler

Fiona Peacock
by Fiona Peacock
Last updated September 15, 2023
Reading Time: 6 min
Things You Should Do In Front Of Your Toddler

You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘Monkey see, monkey do’; it’s the perfect way to approach parenting young children.

You can tell them something until you’re blue in the face, but the best habits and behaviours are based on what they see their parents doing.

You are their very first and most important role models. Basically, you must show them how to behave. 

You will find your parenting efforts will become so much easier, and there’ll be much less frustration if you act in the way you want them to behave.

Here are ten things you should do in front of your toddler:

#1: Show your toddler: Brushing your teeth

If you thought wrangling your toddler to get dressed was worse than having teeth pulled, you’ve probably not tried to brush your toddler’s teeth. Teeth brushing means tight lips, arms, and legs flailing everywhere, and bellowing yells of ‘NOOOO’.

The whole idea is to make brushing teeth fun, and sometimes even that doesn’t work. But the very best thing you can do for your children’s oral hygiene is to let them see you take care of your teeth.

They’ll become much more curious and want to be like mama and dad. Make it a daily ritual in the shower together. Remember, though, getting frustrated or forcing the issue will make teeth time something they’ll come to dislike.

When Do You Start Brushing Baby Teeth? has more information.

#2: Show your toddler: Saying sorry

Want your toddler to grow up and take responsibility for their actions? Then you need to take responsibility for yours now. 

There’s no such thing as the perfect parent. Every parent makes mistakes. Parents snap or yell from time to time, but saying sorry can repair your relationship with your child.

If you lose your temper and yell at your toddler, be sure to apologize afterward. Explain that you shouldn’t have shouted and you’re sorry.

Humility is a great gift to impart to your toddler, and it’s easier to teach children when they are younger than when you have a raging teen on your hands.

Find out 6 Surprising Reasons Why Parents Yell At Their Kids so you gain a little more in control of your behavior.

#3: Show your toddler: Making mistakes

Perfection is unachievable most of the time. All you can do is your best. You will mess up and get things wrong, and that’s ok. Instead of trying to hide your mistakes from your child, use them as teaching moments. 

Show your child it’s OK to make mistakes. It’s normal, it’s to be expected, and the world doesn’t end. React calmly, and without talking negatively about yourself. And then show the child how you can fix the mistake. 

Isn’t that a great way of showing your child how to cope when things don’t go to plan?

The end game here is to teach your child to accept her own mistakes without judgement. And, she’ll know she can come to you without fear of judgement. After all, you’ve made plenty of mistakes yourself. 

#4: Show your toddler: Body positivity

If you want your toddlers to grow up to be people who love and appreciate their own body, you need to model this for them now. 

Don’t let them hear your inner critic when it comes to your body. Don’t let them see you obsess over the scales. Don’t judge your body harshly in the mirror. 

Show your toddler how amazing your body is. Show him the silvery stretch mark reminders of when he lived inside your tummy. Talk to him about how your body nourished him during pregnancy and beyond. 

Talk to your toddler about how strong you are. Be mindful of how you talk about your body in front of your child. Focus on the positives and the incredible things your body can do. Show him how good it feels to move and jump and dance. 

Be mindful of how you speak to other people about their bodies, too. Don’t tell people they’ve lost weight; instead, focus on how happy they look. 

If you need any reminders, be sure to read 5 Reasons Your Body Is Better Now That You’re A Mother.

#5: Show your toddler: Looking after yourself

Show your toddler the importance of looking after yourself. 

Go for a walk to get out of the house and clear your head on a bad day. Eat healthy foods so you have enough energy and your body feels good. Spend an hour soaking in the bath and listening to your favorite podcast. 

Whatever you do for self-care, make sure your toddler knows you are doing it.

Talk about the importance of taking care of yourself. Ask your toddler about the things she likes to do to feel good. 

Need some reminders of what self-care looks like? Check out 6 Small Acts Of Self Care To Avoid Self Destruction.

#6: Show your toddler: Emotional regulation

If you want your toddlers to learn how to regulate their emotions, you need to show them how. It’s not rocket science, is it? It’s easier said than done, that’s for sure. 

Emotional regulation is a skill you might need to work at. If you didn’t learn this skill in childhood, you might still struggle with your emotions now. 

If you can afford it, therapy can help you to understand your emotions, and how to teach this skill to your child. 

Don’t worry if you can’t afford therapy; being more mindful of your feelings and how you express them is a great starting point. 

There are some tips on how to teach this important skill in Emotional Regulation – 5 Ways To Teach It To Your Child.

#7: Show your toddler: Singing and dancing….

… like no one is watching. Get down and boogie with your bubba! It’s great fun and good for your health too. Singing and dancing can boost your mood and get you bonding with your toddler.

Don’t worry about looking silly; your toddler won’t judge you. Close the curtains, crank the music up, and let yourself go wild. 

Your toddler will love the physical play and the sound of the music. You could make this a part of your daily routine or use it as a tool to reset when you or your toddler feel a bit grumpy.

#8: Show your toddler: Conflict resolution

Are you adept at conflict resolution? Do you live in a peaceful, harmonious, and respectful house all of the time? Or do you fall prey to bickering and defensiveness? 

There’s no need to be the perfect couple, but you should try to be mindful of how disagreements play out in front of your child. It won’t necessarily be easy, but it will undoubtedly be worthwhile. 

Work on your communication skills as a couple, so that you can disagree without falling out. Catch yourself before you respond defensively and instead try to communicate constructively. 

Your child will likely learn his conflict type from you, so try to model healthy conflict resolution instead of shouting and shutting down. 

#9: Show your toddler: Caring

Make sure your toddler sees you caring for other people. If you see a stranger upset in the street, ask him if he’s ok. 

If you walk past a homeless person, offer to buy her a drink or something to eat from a nearby cafe. 

If you’re buying flowers for a friend going through a hard time, tell your toddler why you’re doing it. 

Children learn by watching what we do, so the more often they see you being caring, the more likely they are to take on that trait themselves. 

#10: Show your toddler: Reading

If you want your children to love reading, you should show them how much you value it. Children don’t often see adults reading books. We usually read when they’re tucked up fast asleep in bed. 

Don’t feel guilty about reading in front of your child. If she’s distracted with a toy or happily playing by herself, it’s ok for you to read a short chapter of a book. 

A toddler will notice what you are doing, and see that books are something to be enjoyed – even for grown-ups. 

Taking time out to read will also show your toddler the importance of downtime. 

As parents, we can easily get caught up in doing things. We rush from laundry and cleaning to making dinner, and dash from the shops to playgroups, but it’s essential to teach our kids it’s important to slow down, too.

 

Previous Post

How Much Bleeding During Pregnancy Is Normal?

Next Post

Posterior Baby | What It Means And How To Turn Baby

Fiona Peacock

Fiona Peacock

Fiona Peacock is a writer, researcher and lover of all thing's pregnancy, birth and motherhood. She is a home birth advocate, passionate about gentle parenting.

Next Post
Posterior Baby What It Means And How To Turn Baby

Posterior Baby | What It Means And How To Turn Baby

Featured Articles

how to conceive a boy

How To Conceive A Boy | 6 Special Tips to Have A Baby Boy

Last updated 4 months ago
endometriosis stage

Endometriosis Stages | Understanding The 4 Critical Stages

Last updated 7 months ago

Authors

  • Amy Cameron, RM, IBCLC
    Amy Cameron, RM, IBCLC
  • Anne Macnaughtan
    Anne Macnaughtan
  • BellyBelly Ed
    BellyBelly Ed
  • Carly Grubb B.Ed (Primary) Hons.
    Carly Grubb B.Ed (Primary) Hons.
  • Darren Mattock
    Darren Mattock
  • David Rawlings
    David Rawlings
  • David Vernon
    David Vernon
  • Dawn Reid, EEPM CNCM MMID
    Dawn Reid, EEPM CNCM MMID
  • Deborah Cooper
    Deborah Cooper
  • Desiree Spierings
    Desiree Spierings
  • Sarah Buckley
    Sarah Buckley
  • Dr. Jack Newman MD FRCPC
    Dr. Jack Newman MD FRCPC
  • Dr. Thomas W. Hale
    Dr. Thomas W. Hale
  • Emily Brittingham, IBCLC, BHSc
    Emily Brittingham, IBCLC, BHSc
  • Emily Robinson
    Emily Robinson
  • Fiona Peacock
    Fiona Peacock
  • Gloria Lemay
    Gloria Lemay
  • Graham White
    Graham White
  • Heather Hack-Sullivan CPM, LDM, BS in Midwifery
    Heather Hack-Sullivan CPM, LDM, BS in Midwifery
  • Christopher Tang
    Christopher Tang
  • Irene Garzon BSc (Hons) Midwifery
    Irene Garzon BSc (Hons) Midwifery
  • Janet Powell
    Janet Powell
  • Jared Osborne
    Jared Osborne
  • Jennifer Block
    Jennifer Block
  • Joana Camato
    Joana Camato
  • Jordan Gray
    Jordan Gray
  • Kara Wilson
    Kara Wilson
  • Karen Wilmot RM, RYT, MAEd
    Karen Wilmot RM, RYT, MAEd
  • Kelly Rennie
    Kelly Rennie
  • Kelly Winder
    Kelly Winder
Tools and Features

Tools and Features

Get your birth education video

Get your birth education video

Join our Week by Week emails

Join our Week by Week emails

Get your free ebook

Get your free ebook

Belly Belly Logo

We’re passionate about women and men feeling informed, confident and prepared for pregnancy, birth and early parenting.

  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
  • Pregnancy
  • Birth
  • Mothers
  • Baby
  • Health Lifestyle
  • Product Reviews
  • Pregnancy Symptoms
  • Pregnancy Week by Week
  • Baby Week by Week
  • Sleep
  • Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Parenting
  • Sleep Education Series
  • Breastfeeding Week by Week
  • Toddler Week by Week

OUR NETWORK

  • Belly Belly Logo
    bellybelly.com.au
  • Around the World Plus Kids
    www.aroundtheworldpluskids.com.au
  • Doula Training
    www.doula-training.com.au
  • About
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise

© Copyright 2002–2025 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.

How To Raise Healthy, Happy Toddlers With Ease

Close
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Getting Pregnant
    • Conception
    • Two Week Diaries
    • Conception Calculator
      • Conception Calculator
      • Ovulation Calculator
  • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Articles
    • Pregnancy Week By Week
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Pregnancy Calculator
      • Reverse Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Journals
      • Irene’s Pregnancy Journal
      • Pregnancy Diaries
      • Diary of Ambah article
      • Diary of Belinda article
      • Diary of Rachael article
      • Diary of Sherie
      • Diary of Janelle
      • Diary of Sharon
      • Diary of Lucy
      • Diary of Kathryn
      • Diary of Julie
    • Prenatal / Perinatal
  • Birth
    • Birth Articles
    • Doulas
    • Midwives
    • Birth Diaries
  • Mothers
    • Mother Articles
    • Post Natal/Post Partum
  • Baby
    • Baby Articles
    • Baby Week By Week
    • Star Signs For Baby
  • Sleep
    • Sleep
    • Conception Sleep
    • Pregnancy Sleep
    • Infant / Baby Sleep
      • Infant Sleep
      • Baby Sleep
    • Toddler Sleep
    • Weaning / Feeding Sleep
      • Feeding Sleep
      • Bottle Sleep
      • Formula Sleep
      • Weaning Sleep
    • Child Sleep
    • Adult / Family Sleep
      • Mothers Sleep
      • Fathers Sleep
      • Family Sleep
      • Cosleeping
  • Baby Names
    • Baby Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Gender-Neutral Baby Names
    • Unique Baby Names
  • Breastfeeding
    • Breastfeeding Articles
    • Breastfeeding Week by Week
    • Lactation Cookies
  • Toddler
  • Child
  • Men/Dads
  • Parenting
  • Health Lifestyle
    • Health
      • General Health
      • Cooking & Recipes
      • Meal Planning
      • Exercise
    • Lifestyle
      • Family Travel
      • Relationships
      • Men/Dads
  • General
    • Forum
    • Product Reviews
    • Competitions
  • Advertise

© Copyright 2002–2025 BellyBelly, All Rights Reserved.